The Swinging Palm Trees Podcast

On today's episode I talk to Biomedical Scientist (BMS) and Founder of Harvey's Gang, Malcolm Robinson.  Harvey's Gang are lab tours for young patients and their families to give them the chance to talk to the various medical staff who work in hospital labs and analyse their samples to help diagnose and manage their illnesses.  Malcolm shares the story of  Harvey Buster Baldwin, whom the charity is named after.  Harvey  was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.  His inquisitiveness to know what happened to his blood & other questions led to Malcolm to start the charity.  Malcolm talks about the importance of compassion within the medical profession, phobia for needles, how vital it is for different departments to collaborate more effectively, the empowerment that the children have  while given the tours, and how the creation of Harvey's Gang has changed working practices.  Malcolm also discusses why the charity has teamed up with The Institute of Biomedical Science. We also talk about Malcolm's career spanning forty years, retirement, and look at the quote that continually inspires him.

Malcolm Robinson is a former Chief BMS at Western Sussex & former Chair of London and Southeast Transfusion TADG, Biomedical Scientist of the Year 2018, and winner of the NHS70 “Thank You” Award for Children’s Healthcare.

More information about Harvey's Gang can be found here.

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Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!  
I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar,  for all her hard work.
If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected] or @theswingingpalmtrees on Instagram
Keep Rising & Thriving.  Aṣẹ!

In this episode, I talk with Digital illustrator and Visual Artist Vince Fraser. Vince shares how he started within the industry and we take a  look at how his craft is continually evolving.  We discuss Afro-Futurism & Afro-surrealism through a Black lens, the importance of culture, telling the right stories and mentoring the  younger generations.  We also chat about NFTs, debate the use of A.I in art, and the tools of the trade.  And of course, we talk about the quote that continually inspires Vince.

Having worked in the creative industry as a professional digital illustrator for over twenty years, the progression to Visual Arts was a natural one. Vince’s work has continued to evolve and sees himself as a New Breed of Artist in the Digital Age, combining a variety of skills including Film and Motion. With a keen eye for detail he is always experimenting in a playful way whilst pushing the boundaries from a visual aspect. Bridging the gap between Fantasy and Reality, Vince’s mission is to inspire, educate and empower positive images of the African diaspora. Previous clients include Nike , Adobe and MTV just to name a few, whilst gaining the attention of various musicians including Erykah Badu , Black Coffee and Outkast.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!  
I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar,  for all her hard work.
If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected] or @theswingingpalmtrees on Instagram
Keep Rising & Thriving.  Aṣẹ!

In this episode, I chat with Visual storyteller Adesua Okosun.  Adesua talks about her interest in film-making, her documentary project called 'The Other Side' that includes stories about the LGBTQ communities in The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, and female wrestlers in Senegal.  We also discuss the importance of truthful storytelling, her desire to see more women in technical roles within the film industry and her upcoming projects within Nigeria.  Adesua also talks about legacy, family stories, geeking out over animation especially about 'The Simpsons', her vocal impression of a famous director, and of course, she shares a quote that continually inspires her.

Adesua Okosun is the director and content developer of Blackverse Studios.  Her work has been showcased at film festivals including The Berlinale Film Festival.  Her short film 'Contact' about a team of disabled basketball players in Nigeria is streaming on the NBA platform.  

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!  
I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar,  for all her hard work.
If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected] or @theswingingpalmtrees on Instagram
Keep Rising & Thriving.  Aṣẹ!

Trigger Warning: this episode addresses issues involving sex trafficking and trauma.
In this episode, I chat with Evon Benson-Idahosa, a leading expert and thought leader on the subjects of modern day slavery and gender based violence in sub-Saharan Africa.   Evon talks about why she started the NGO and her campaign to stamp out sex trafficking not only in Nigeria, but also globally.  We also talk about religion and hypocrisy in Nigeria, certain traditional practices that need to end the importance of education and dialogue in ending slavery and gender based violence.  Evon also shares how important her faith is to her, being mindful of self-care, her parents, and of course, she shares the saying that continually inspires her. 

R. Evon Benson-Idahosa is a Nigerian native, a thought leader and leading expert on the intersection of the economic empowerment of African women and gender based violence in sub-Saharan Africa. She is also a trained English Barrister and American lawyer who lends her expertise as a strategist and advisor/consultant to organizations as well as state, national and international governments.

In her role as an innovative facilitator/trainer, she has organized multiple high level stakeholders’ national and international conferences/roundtables, including Nigeria’s first ever Gap Analysis on human trafficking and unsafe migration, trains Parliamentarians and serves as a legislative drafter.  Via her non-profit, Pathfinders Justice Initiative, her work has culminated in the production of Nigeria's first national Guidelines for rehabilitation service providers and law enforcement officers,
judges and prosecutors on human trafficking, www.hersafrica.com, the continent’s first one stop online hub of resources for survivors and Edo State’s Coordinated Care Mechanism (CCM), the state’s first referral mechanism for local service providers. 

Under her leadership, Pathfinders has provided holistic PATH (Personalized Action to Healing) Plans for over 2,700 survivors, maintains a thriving shelter, has conducted ground-breaking research on recruiters of sex trafficking in Nigeria and engages in outreaches that reach millions of people daily.

As an activist, published writer, researcher and speaker, Ms. Benson-Idahosa’s work has been featured on multiple national and international radio and television news outlets and she has been named one of New York’s New Abolitionists. She is also the recipient of multiple fellowships/awards and has been nationally and internationally recognized for her efforts in creating access to economic empowerment for African women and for seeking an end to gender based violence.

For more information, please visit www.pathfindersji.org or email
[email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!  
I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar,  for all her hard work.
If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected] or @theswingingpalmtrees on Instagram
Keep Rising & Thriving.  Aṣẹ!

Pax vobiscum! This is The Swinging Palm Trees podcast, where I talk to my guests about their lives and they share the quotes and sayings that continually inspire them. My name is Akin, creator and host of the podcast and thanks for stopping by.

For regular & new listeners alike, you may be wondering why there's a different look to the normal line-up format.  That's because today I'm featuring a special episode of Jimi Famurewa's new podcast, "Where’s Home Really?" on the feed.  Jimi is a journalist and food critic, and as for his podcast, he talks to his guests from various backgrounds to reveal a person, phrase, a place and a place that best represents what home means to them. It's similar to The Swinging Palm Trees, so I'm sure you'll enjoy his chats just like I have. 

In this episode, Jimi talks with British comedian Stephen K. Amos who shares stories about his career, being a second generation Nigerian in London, and what bottled peanuts and the ITV News at 10 bong mean to Stephen. 

Enjoy the conversation, and may you be inspired.

Pax Vobiscum!

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!  
I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar,  for all her hard work.
If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected] or @theswingingpalmtrees on Instagram
Keep Rising & Thriving.  Aṣẹ!

On today's episode I chat with author and graphic novel creator Ram V about his career.  Ram shares how he started within the industry, his first self published graphic novel and his work with DC comics and Marvel.  Ram talks about his creative process, his work on Batman, Swamp Thing, and Justice League Dark and his upcoming project 'The Vigils'.  I also geek out with him over one of my personal favourite graphic novels 'These Savage Shores' and talk about imperialism, Indian mythology and vampirism.  I also find out what the 'V' stands for, and of course, Ram shares the quote that continually inspires him.  

Ram V is an Eisner-nominated, award-winning author and creator of comics & graphic novels such as GRAFITY’S WALL, THESE SAVAGE SHORES, THE MANY DEATHS OF LAILA STARR & the Eisner-winning BLUE IN GREEN. Since publishing his first book in 2016, Ram’s work has gone on to garner critical and popular success, winning multiple awards. Apart from creating original work, Ram has also written for iconic characters & titles such as Detective Comics, Swamp Thing, Justice League Dark, Catwoman, Venom and Carnage at DC Comics and Marvel.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!  
I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar,  for all her hard work.
If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected] or @theswingingpalmtrees on Instagram
Keep Rising & Thriving.  Aṣẹ!

On today's episode I chat with actor, writer and cinematographer in the making, Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo.  She shares with us how she got into theatre, her time at RADA, her first acting gig and her career on stage and on screen so far.  Ronkẹ also discusses her Yorùbá heritage and lineage, the meaning and correct pronunciation of her name, and what she defines as her identity.  We touch on issues of classism and social injustice, and we talk about her character in the new HBO series 'Rain Dogs', which will also be airing on The BBC.  And of course, Ronkẹ chats about the saying that continually inspires her. 

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!  
I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar,  for all her hard work.
If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected] or @theswingingpalmtrees on Instagram
Keep Rising & Thriving.  Aṣẹ!

My guest today is film critic and broadcaster Rhianna Dhillon.  She shares with me her love for films and how she started off within the industry. We discuss what it means to her being a critic, and her opinions.  Rhianna also talks about her role as a moderator at industry events, the tips she has learned and the guests who have left a lasting impression on her.  We chat about the challenges of a freelance life and mental wellbeing.  Rhianna also shares her heritage, what her favourite film genre is, and what she would use as a weapon if the zombie apocalypse were to ever happen.  And of course, we talk about the quote that continually inspires her. 

Rhianna Dhillon has been a film critic for 12 years, beginning her career at BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra as their in-house film critic. Now a film and TV critic on BBC 6Music’s Breakfast Show with Lauren Laverne, Rhianna is also the BBC 5Live film reviewer and hosts the PodPod podcast. Rhianna moderates events and Q&As for BAFTA, Disney, the BFI and others and is currently a Visiting Lecturer at City University of London.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!  
I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar,  for all her hard work.
If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected] or @theswingingpalmtrees on Instagram
Keep Rising & Thriving.  Aṣẹ!

On today's episode, my guest is restaurateur & entrepreneur Aji Akokomi.  On the menu today we talk about what Pan-West African fine dining is all about, and the importance of the experience  reaching a wider and diverse clientele.  Aji discusses the importance of customer service, recipes & experimentations, sourcing condiments and mental health and well-being in a pressurised kitchen and industry as a whole.  Aji also shares what it was like growing up in Nigeria and the importance of his Yorùbá culture, his favourite dishes, and of course, he talks about the quote that continually inspires him.

Aji Akokomi is the founder of Akoko Restaurant & Akara restaurant, situated in Central London.  Before he embarked on a culinary career, he worked as an IT consultant before pivoting into the world of restauranteering.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!  
I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar,  for all her hard work.
If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected] or @theswingingpalmtrees on Instagram
Keep Rising & Thriving.  Aṣẹ!

On today's episode, artist MURUGIAH shares his story about his career and how he started out.  We talk about his formal education in Architecture  and he has repurposed these skills to his advantage as an artist. We talk about what's currently in his sketchbook and his first piece of work as a child.  Murugiah discusses his unique style and personality in relation to his artwork, including mental health and wellbeing.  We talk about identity, his Tamil heritage, his favourite colour and thoughts on AI art.  And of course, we talk about the quote that continually inspires him.

MURUGIAH is an award-winning artist based in London, U.K. Born in England & raised in Wales with Sri Lankan heritage, Murugiah trained as an architect in London before choosing his current creative path, specialising in fine art, illustration, art direction, typography and design. Today, he makes psychedelic work infused with the dichotomy of his Sri Lankan heritage and western upbringing around themes of mental health, the impending doom of our planet, and climate change amongst other things. All made in a surreal, joyful, loud and unapologetic style using bright bold colours and detailed graphical compositions.   His selected collaborators and commissioners include New Balance, Apple, Disney, Marvel, Facebook, Penguin, Vans, Wired, Los Angeles Times, and Mondo. And he has been featured by BBC, Creative Boom, Creative Lives in Progress, Digital Arts, and SixtySix Magazine. 

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!  
I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar,  for all her hard work.
If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at [email protected] or @theswingingpalmtrees on Instagram
Keep Rising & Thriving.  Aṣẹ!